May 04

Orpheum No.1 Tenor Banjo

Written by Paul Conlon. Posted in For Sale

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It’s rare to find an 80 year old instrument in pristine condition as seen from the laquer on the woodwork and nickel plating throughout. Made around 1933 by the Rettburg & Lange Company who built the famous Paramount banjos the build is all quality, nice heavy-duty hard maple rim with fancy veneers as well as a good maple “rim cap” on the bottom. flamed-maple 3-piece neck with bound dyed-hardwood (having the two vertical laminates of pearwood for strength) 21″ scale fretboard and detailed multi-layer headstock veneer, the inlay positions are fanciful symmetrical decorations made up of impressionistic birds and flourishes of flora. It has a nut width of 1 1/8th”, a fingerboard width at 7th fret of 1 5/16″ and at the last fret the fingerboard measures 1 1/2″. The machine head tuners are mini geared page type not normally found on the No.1 models. The instrument is loaded with the big old Orpheum-style archtop tonering which is seated on flattened stud appendages that then connect to the outer sleeve where the edge of the head is mounted. This whole contraption is half of what gives the Orpheums their magical sound — a projecting, clucky, bright but warm tonality with overtones and sustain that complements rather than detracts from the overall sound.

Usually fitted with a no knot tail piece this Orpheum is fitted with a Kershner tailpiece probably some years ago. The length, weight and machined brass construction of these tail pieces enhance note sustain and contribute to clear, bright tone.

This little banjo is a dream to play with low action and well suited for a fiddler or mandolin player wishing to move onto a new instrument. The banjo comes with its original case in good condition and a spin on nickel plated resonator (has a few dents). I have added a non-original vintage flat blonde maple resonator which suits the appearance of the banjo and helps excel the sound from the pot. This is easily removed as it is attached with a centre blade screw. So the banjo can be played as an open back, metal resonator or wooden resonator option.

Sold:

Apr 15

Orpheum Custom Special

Written by Paul Conlon. Posted in For Sale

A little bit of Orpheum banjo history

Orpheum banjos were made by William Rettburg and William Lange, two music industry veterans who purchased the bankrupt Buckbee banjo company in 1897. In its day, Buckbee was the largest banjo maker in America, a firm that made instruments for Dobson, Benary, Farland, Bruno and perhaps a dozen more companies. The banjos made by Buckbee were primarily in what we think of as the minstrel style, with thin wooden shells, no metal tone rings and large, usually fretless necks. Rettburg and Lange had figured out early on that the instruments that Buckbee was making were quickly going out of fashion. By 1903 they had developed a simple tone ring that helped increase the banjo’s volume along with giving it brighter crisper tone. The Orpheum banjo proved to be a big success and by 1915, it was one of the most popular banjos styles in America.

Orpheum banjos came in a variety of styles including five-strings, banjo mandolins, plectrums and tenors. Orpheum banjos were very well made and they have a lighter, delicate tone than the instruments from Gibson and Epiphone that come out a few years later. The #3 Special was the fanciest model in the catalog although a couple of more ornate models were available by special order, as with this one made for ‘Lily C Jones’. This model boasts exquisite pearl inlay, heel carvings and wooden marquetry. The neck is made from multi-hardwood laminates including holly and the rim is made from birds eye maple. This particular custom built banjo is a very rare find in pristine condition.




		
			
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Lily C Jones Features

Beautiful abalone inlays on the fretboard, headstock overlay and the heel cap.
Elaborate floral heel carving and is adorned with other detailed marquetry throughout.
27 and 5/16″ scale ebony fretboard with intricate inlay marquetry
Hand made custom Farquhar bridge
7 piece laminated neck made from mahogany and maple
8 piece laminated head stock in multi-coloured hard woods
Birds-Eye maple rim hosting the patented Paramount tone ring (gold plated)
Paramount badge with name ‘made by William Lange’ and serial number
Maple resonator dark stained
Gold plated ‘page one’ geared tuners
Gold plated flange with scalloped designed side walls
top tension hoop and hooks gold plated
Gold plated Paramount tail piece and gold plated hot-dog arm rest
low action and straight neck
comes with original hard shell case
No breaks, repairs or re-lacquer, totally original.

Irish trad session players will love this custom hand built 17 fret banjo with a short 21″ scale length, which makes it a great option for any mandolinist looking to get into tenor banjo. It has a very clear, open and warm response that complements single-note melodies and fiddle tunes beautifully.

Banjo is now sold